workshop: learn practical Brainstorming

Learn Idea Generation that’s Visionary and Practical

Structured Creative Problem Solving, Remarkable Results.

Brainstorming’s Practical Challenge

Every organization experiences a particular form of pain in their creative process. The loudest voices dominate. Promising ideas die under premature criticism. The team leaves with a vague sense that something valuable slipped away or remains undiscovered.

It’s frustrating. Ideas that never surface cannot create value. Solutions that remain unexplored represent opportunity, solutions and profits lost to frustration.

People don’t lack creative potential. They lack the structured path to reveal it.

The Path to Better Outcomes

Practical Brainstorming transforms a creative chaos into productive discovery. Through thoughtful constraints, we reveal the brilliance already within you—unlocking potential that was there all along. This deliberate approach balances creative freedom with practical realism, ensuring ideas move beyond inspiration to meaningful implementation.

  • From Frustration to Focus
    Replace the chaos with a deliberate framework that channels creative energy
  • From Dominance to Contribution
    Ensure every perspective contributes, not just the loudest voices
  • From Premature Judgment to Constructive Building
    Transform criticism from a creativity killer into a solution strengthener
  • From Unrealized Ideas to Implemented Solutions
    Bridge the gap between creative concept and practical execution

The difference between routine brainstorming and transformative ideation isn‘t the creativity of your people. It‘s the methodology they use to access and apply that creativity.

Is a few hours worth having innovation, consensus, and a plan?

join a workshop

Reveal What’s Possible

The difference between routine brainstorming and transformative ideation isn’t magic. It’s method. Schedule a consultation to see how our structured approach can help your team find its way to better ideas.

Is cooperative and effective ideation worth trying?

Schedule a consultation

What’s included in the workshop?

Comprehensive
Framework

A complete, field-tested methodology developed through years of daily practice at State of Assembly, transforming how teams approach creative challenges.

Interactive
Experience

Hands-on exercises that allow you to practice each component of the method with expert guidance, ensuring you can confidently implement it afterward.

Facilitator
Training

Specific techniques for becoming an effective facilitator who keeps the process on track without controlling the outcome, including how to manage difficult team dynamics.

Validation
Toolkit

Practical tools for transforming criticism into constructive evaluation, including our “What would have to be true?” framework and testing protocols.

Workshop
Materials

Take-home resources including our brainstorming worksheets, process maps, and facilitator’s guide so you can immediately implement the method.

Post-Workshop
Support

30 days of email support to answer questions as you begin implementing the method in your own contexts, plus access to our online resource library.

Meet Your Guides

Corrina Reff

Creative Director & Co-Founder at State of Assembly

Combining over a decade of experience in branding, visual design, and marketing with a thoughtful, hands-on approach to design, Corrina helps organizations simplify what they imply and grow into their full potential through intuitive campaigns that connect meaningfully with audiences.

Zachary Cavanell

Creative Director & Co-Founder at State of Assembly

With over 20 years of expertise in branding and marketing, Zachary brings specialized knowledge in behavioral decision-making from Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, allowing him to craft strategies that leverage subtle cues to influence choices and translate organizational uniqueness into compelling brand stories

FAQ

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How long is the workshop?

What technology do I need to participate fully?

How many people typically attend each workshop?

What is the level of this course?

How interactive is this virtual workshop?

What’s the cancellation policy?

FAQ

How long is the workshop?
The workshop is designed as a four-hour experience, which works perfectly as a half-day session. This timeframe allows for comprehensive coverage of the method while respecting your team's busy schedules.

For organizations needing more extensive training or customization, we can discuss adjusting the length to meet your specific requirements.
Where is the workshop held?
We specialize in on-site workshops at your location, bringing our expertise directly to your team regardless of where you’re based. While we're headquartered in Portland, Oregon, we regularly travel nationwide to deliver our workshops.

For teams that can’t gather in one physical location, we also offer online workshops via Zoom with specially adapted materials and interactive elements to ensure the same engaging, effective experience.
How many people typically attend each workshop?
We limit each workshop to 20-25 participants to ensure quality interaction and personalized attention.
What is the level of this course?
The workshop is designed to be universally valuable regardless of your previous experience with brainstorming or facilitation. Beginners will gain a solid foundation in a structured approach that immediately improves their creative problem-solving, while experienced facilitators will discover refined techniques to overcome common brainstorming challenges they’ve encountered.
Will we be doing actual brainstorming during the workshop?
Absolutely! This is a hands-on workshop where you’ll apply each step of the method to sample challenges we provide. You’ll experience being both a participant and a facilitator, giving you practical experience with the techniques that you can immediately apply to your own personal or professional challenges afterward.
Is this workshop only for marketing teams?
Not at all! While we developed this method at our branding and marketing agency, it’s applicable to any industry or department that needs innovative solutions. We’ve successfully taught this method to teams in technology, education, healthcare, and manufacturing, to name a few.
How does your method handle difficult team dynamics?
Our method is specifically designed to address common team challenges like dominant voices, hesitant participants, premature criticism, and decision paralysis. You’ll learn specific techniques for creating fair play, ensuring creative freedom, and maintaining practical realism—the three legs of our brainstorming “stool.”

Real-World Application

Organizations that master our brainstorming methodology discover positioning opportunities their competitors miss. The structured approach helps teams move beyond conventional thinking to find distinctive territory that resonates with their audiences.
    how they were seen
    A transitional educational phase between elementary and high school.
    brainstormed into
    The pivotal period where students develop the foundation for becoming well-adjusted, successful adults.
    see the result
    how they were seen
    An emergency service responding to property damage crises.
    brainstormed into
    Property managers strategic infrastructure advisors, helping prevent problems and preserve asset value.
    see the result
    how they were seen
    A lesser-known destination competing on standard tourism metrics.
    brainstormed into
    A “destination without designation” offering freedom from itineraries and schedules for authentic exploration.
    see the result

    Learn how you can become what you were meant to.

    join a workshop

    Real-World Application

    Organizations that master our brainstorming methodology discover positioning opportunities their competitors miss. The structured approach helps teams move beyond conventional thinking to find distinctive territory that resonates with their audiences.
    A transitional educational phase between elementary and high school.
    Brainstormed into:
    The pivotal period where students develop the foundation for becoming well-adjusted, successful adults.
    See the Result
    An emergency service responding to property damage crises.
    Brainstormed into:
    Property managers strategic infrastructure advisors, helping prevent problems and preserve asset value.
    See the Result
    A lesser-known destination competing on standard tourism metrics.
    Brainstormed into:
    A "destination without designation" offering freedom from itineraries and schedules for authentic exploration.
    See the Result

    Learn how you can become what you were meant to.

    book a workshop